Portable gang plank



June 2, 1964 w. R. REYNOLDS 3,134,999

PORTABLE GANG PLANK Filed March 21, 1961 INVENTOR FR} 5 William R. Reynolds ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,134,999 PORTABLE GANG PLANK William R. Reynolds, 3310 Irwindell, Dallas, Tex. Filed Mar. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 97,188 1 Claim. (Cl. 1 1-71) This invention relates to a portable gang plank, and it concerns more particularly a portable ramp for use in boarding small boats of the type which are commonly propelled by outboard motors.

It is common practice to transport small boats of the type described to and from launching sites on trailer vehicles therefor, which are adapted to be towed by automobiles. At the launching site the trailer vehicle may be backed into the water sufficiently to float the boat.

Such boats are often launched in shallow water off beaches, sand bars and the like, away from public launching ramps and, after the boat is afloat it is often difficult to board the same without wading in water. Assuming that the water is deep enough to float the boat, or at least its stem, to which the outboard motor may be attached, it may be necessary to traverse several feet of water covered beach upon getting in and out of the boat. Modern designs in small craft powered by outboard or inboard motors include relatively high sides, long forward decks and Windshields, all of which features pose problems in entering the boat.

An object of the invention is to provide a gang plank for convenient access to such boats which are moored in shallow water at the banks, oif beaches, sand bars and the like, in locations where no permanent piers, or landing clocks are available.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gang plank as described which is adapted to be removably connected at one end to one side of a boat, and which in use extends forwardly from the boat for engagement with a supporting surface, affording convenient means for boarding the same by passing around the windshield or the forward deck.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gang plank as described which is adapted for use in any location where the boat may be moored, and which is adjustable to compensate for differences in elevation between the boat and the landing, or beach, as the case may be.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gang plank as described which is portable, and which is adapted to be taken aboard a boat and folded and stowed away when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gang plank as described which is of simple, rugged construction, and is of light weight, and which is adapted to be fabricated inexpensively, and is eflicient in operation and durable in use.

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a boat having a portable gang plank embodying the invention applied thereto.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the gang plank in one of its operative positions.

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view showing the gang plank in its folded position; and

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view thereof.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates generally a small boat of the type which are commonly propelled by outboard motors. As shown in FIGURE 1, the boat 1 is moored in shallow water 2 off a beach 3, with its stern afloat.

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The boat 1 has a gang plank embodying the invention, indicated generally by the numeral 4, applied thereto. The gang plank 4 has one of its ends removably connected to one side of the boat 1, as hereinafter described, and extends forwardly from the boat 1 for engagement with the beach 3, whereby it is additionally supported. The forward end of the gang plank 4 is substantially out of the water 2.

The gang plank 4 includes two tread plates 5 and 6, respectively, which are connected end to end by hinges 7.

The plates 5 and 6 are pivotal about the hinges 7 from extended positions in opposite directions, as shown in FIGURE 2, to folded positions in which they are folded one upon the other, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

A rectangular sheet metal hinge plate 8, which has a width corresponding substantially to the width of the tread plate 5, is bent degrees intermediate its ends and has its end portions overlying opposite sides of the tread plate 5 adjacent the end thereof opposite the hinges 7. The end portions of the hinge plate 8 are connected to opposite sides of the tread plate 5 by rivets 9. An intermediate portions of the hinge plate 8 extends outwardly from the adjacent end of the tread plate 5 and forms a loop which loosely surrounds a rod 10, whereby the tread plate 5 is pivotally connected to the rod 10.

The rod 10 is normally disposed substantially hori zontally, and is rigidly connected at one end to an intermediate portion of a normally vertically disposed rod 11. The rod 11 has a hook 12 formed on its upper end, and terminates in a downwardly turned end portion 13 which is receivable in a socket 14 therefor formed in a fitting 15, which is attachable to the upper rail of a gunwale of the boat 1, whereby the rod 11 is removably and pivotally connected to the boat 1, from which it is suspended. Obviously the hook 12 may be arranged over the boat rail if desired without the use of the socket 14.

The hook 12 is positioned on the side of the vertically disposed rod 11 opposite the horizontally disposed rod 10. A comparatively short rod 16, which is aligned longitudinally with the rod 10, is rigidly connected to the opposite side of the rod 11 and extends horizontally therefrom below the hook 12. A resilient element 17 is applied to the free end of the rod 16 for abutment against the adjacent side of the boat 1.

A diagonal brace 18 is removably connected at its ends as hereinafter described, to the end of the rod 10 opposite the rod 11 and to the lower end of the rod 11. One end of the brace 18 has an opening therein surrounding the adjacent end of the rod 19, and is removably connected thereto by a pin 19 extending through the rod 10. The opposite end of the brace 18 is secured to the adjacent end of the rod 11 by a bolt 20 having a nut 21 applied thereto.

A rod 22 extends across the under side of the tread plate 5, adjacent the end thereof opposite the rod 10, and is rigidly connected thereto intermediate its ends by a pair of metal straps 23, which are secured to the tread plate 5 by screws 24.

A metal strip 25, which is bent right angularly intermediate its ends to form normally vertically extending end portions 26 and a normally horizontally extending intermediate portion 27, is pivotally and removably connected at its ends to opposite ends of the rod 22, and normally depends therefrom. The ends of the strip 25 have openings therein surrounding the adjacent ends of the rod 22, and are secured thereto by pins 28 extending through the rod 22.

A tie rod 29, which is normally disposed parallel to and below the tread plate 5 is pivotally connected at one end to an end portion 26 of the metal strip 25 by a bolt 30 having a nut 31 applied thereto. The opposite end of the tie rod 29 is pivotally connected to a lug 32, which 3 extends outwardly from one side of the rod 11, by a bolt 33.

In use, the tread plate 5 is supported at its ends on the rods 10 and 22. The rod 10 is connected to the rods 11 and 16, whereby it is adapted to be suspended from the boat 1, as above described, and normally extends outwardly therefrom. The rod 22 is supported on the angularly bent strip 25, which is engageable with a supporting surface, such as the beach 3.

The tread plate 6 is pivotally connected at one end, by the hinges 7, to the adjacent end of the tread plate 5 whereby it is adapted to be supported on the angularly bent metal strip 25. The opposite end of the tread plate 6 is engageable with the supporting surface.

In the folded position of the gang plank 4, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the tread plate 6 is folded upwardly over the tread plate 5, and the rod 11 and the angularly bent metal strip 25 are arranged substantially parallel to the tread plates 5 and 6 and the tie rod 29. It is contemplated that the tread plates 5 and 6 may be formed of any suitable material, such as wood, metal, plastic, and the like.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

In a portable gang plank for small boats having a gunwale and a socket element in said gunwale, in combination, a treadway comprising first and second tread plates hingedly connected in longitudinal alignment, the said second tread plate being foldable upon said first tread plate, a support for said treadway comprising a horizontally disposed rod rotatively connected to the free end of the first tread plate and extending from each side thereof, and a normally vertical rod rigidly attached to one end of said horizontal rod adjacent to one side of said first tread plate and extending above and below said horizontal rod, a hook formed on the upper end of said normally vertical rod for engaging said socket element in said gunwale, an angular brace connecting the lowermost end of said vertical rod to the free end of said horizontally disposed rod adjacent to the opposite side of said first tread plate, a support for the o posite end of said first tread plate and a linkage pivotally connecting said vertical rod to said last named support whereby the said gang plank can be compactly folded.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 479,533 Schultz July 26, 1892 1,783,660 Maes Dec. 2, 1930 2,478,177 Beutel et al. Aug. 9, 1949 2,777,742 Schieber Jan. 15, 1957 2,964,767 Egbert Dec. 20, 1960 3,000,466 Johnson et al. Sept. 19, 1961 

